To be auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva on 12 November 2013

Date — 3 October, 2013

Share:

70 years after the first publication of “The Little Prince” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s bestselling novel, Sotheby’s and IWC will join forces to support the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. A unique version of the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” will be presented in Sotheby’s Geneva auction of Important Watches on 12 November 2013. All the proceeds from the sale will benefit the Foundation and contribute to the construction of a school with a library in Cambodia.

Continuing IWC’s longstanding tradition of producing pilot’s watches, this outstanding piece in platinum with a midnight blue dial will be sold together with a limited re-edition of the first printed copy of The Little Prince in English and a facsimile of the original manuscript in French. Published in New York in 1943, during Saint-Exupéry’s forced exile, The Little Prince has proved the most popular and enduring work by the French writer and aviation pioneer. Published in 270 different languages, it is today one of the most translated books in the French language and has sold over 150 million copies around the world.

Commenting on the forthcoming sale, Geoffroy Ader, Head of Watches, Sotheby’s Europe said: “Saint-Exupéry created books of seemingly great simplicity that disguised a lengthy process of composition. This quest for perfection is very similar to the work of the greatest watchmakers and is reflected in this unique IWC piece. We are thrilled to have been entrusted with this sale and thereby contribute to the projects of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation”.

Georges Kern, IWC Schaffhausen’s CEO added: “Saint-Exupéry’s life and work are inseparably connected with the history and the romance of aviation. This is also the case with IWC Schaffhausen, as we have been manufacturing professional timepieces for pilots since the mid-1930s. Since then, we have launched several special editions of Pilot’s Watches in honour of the illustrious aviation pioneer, legendary writer and adventurer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. As a globally successful company with a keen sense of social responsibility, we work closely with the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation in the quest to help fight illiteracy. We are proud to be donating the proceeds from the auction of our unique Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition 'Le Petit Prince’ and thus making a significant contribution to the construction of a school and a library in Cambodia.”

Olivier d’Agay, Director of the Saint-Exupéry-d’Agay Estate said: “We depend largely on the goodwill and invaluable contributions of companies like IWC Schaffhausen who share our concerns and values. In the words of the man who continues to be a source of inspiration to us all: they are helping us to enable the future.”

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince”

IW502801

Features

A one-of-a-kind timepiece, as indicated by the inscription “Unique Piece” engraved on the rotor.

The 18-carat gold medallion set in the rotor bears an engraving of the Little Prince with the shock of blonde hair and fluttering scarf standing on his tiny planet – a depiction that is repeated in the moon phase display at 12 o’clock.

The platinum case is packed with sophisticated technical features and houses a 51613-calibre movement with Pellaton automatic winding system and a seven-day power reserve.

The movement drives a wealth of watchmaking complications, such as the perpetual calendar with its moon phase display, four-digit year display and other indicators for the day, date and month.

Like all modern IWC perpetual calendars, the displays are all advanced automatically via the crown. The rhodium-plated hour and minute hands and indices are coated with Super-LumiNova®*, while the date, day and month hands have red tips reminiscent of cockpit instrumentation.

For watch lovers with a fondness for Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s “Little Prince”, the auction is a one-off opportunity to acquire this high-grade tribute to the famous novella.

*IWC Schaffhausen is not the owner of the Super-LumiNova® trademark.

Explore More Articles

IWC Schaffhausen’s Unique Tribute to the Tribeca Film Institute®

To honor the Tribeca Film Festival® and support its nonprofit affiliate, Tribeca Film Institute (TFI), IWC will auction a unique timepiece – the Portofino Monopusher Edition “TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2015” Unique Piece – and therewith introduces a new complication to the company’s watch collection portfolio. Read Article

IWC Takes to the Grid With Watch Innovation at Goodwood Members’ Meeting

Swiss Filmmakers in the Spotlight

Swiss film promotion receives fresh boost: film director Marc Forster, Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, Zurich Film Festival co-directors Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri, and Ringier CEO Marc Walder have joined forces to found the joint “Verein zur Filmförderung in der Schweiz” (Association for Film Promotion in Switzerland), with the aim of increasing the significance of national film projects. Read Article

IWC Schaffhausen Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Portugieser Family

IWC Schaffhausen and around 800 prominent guests gathered to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the legendary Portugieser watch family at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva. Read Article